Daily Buffet

Last night I walked out in the cold night and stood out in the field beside the farm house. It was such a magnificent night. The cold crisp air. The stillness of the night. The bright reflection on the Cold Moon on the treeline and the beauty of the stars shining in the dark clear sky. As I stood still, watching, listening and shivering surrounded by the glory of the creator, I could not help but be reminded of another cold clear night when God’s glory shone so bright.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. ” Luke 2

Wow! Sort of makes you want to join in the heavenly chorus singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The online menu at Mellow Mushroom used to have a little character that would say ‘sometimes just plain ole cheese is good’. Today, here is some plain ole cheese. And it’s good!!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

I heard these lyrics from a gospel bluegrass song last week and fell in love with it. It is a good anthem to use as we start the week.

I’m a working on building
I’m a working on building
I’m a working on building
For my Lord, for my Lord

Let us ensure we are building today and not tearing it down.

Yesterday I awoke to problems at work and my entire morning was spun into disarray, but, yeah today’s Friday! All week I have been thinking about this verse from O’ Holy Night

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

What in the world is pining and why is the world laying in it?

Words like this fascinate me, especially since our modern language has passed by some many great words like this one.  As I matter of fact I don’t reckon ever hearing someone use ‘pining’ in a sentence in my entire life on this here planet.

It’s a great word and does a great job describing the yearning and longing for something different that a world that has succumbed to sin and is without any real hope feels.  It even describes our own lives until we realize that salvation was delivered on a starry night in Bethlehem.

So, two things.  First, I hope you can find a way to use pining in a sentence today.  And then realize that probably whatever your where pining for, probably pales in comparison to the longing and want we should feel towards the creator of the world and the architect of our salvation.  Lets make sure that even those our sins are cast away we still are pining for the Lord.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Romans 5:8(NLT)

This past Sunday I was teaching the junior high kids about going out of their way for others. One of the things we discussed was how God cares about all people. I reminded them that we cannot pick and choose who we show God. We need to learn from Peter and his dream of the sheet and understand that we are to share this message with everyone we meet in some way. So, as you walk through the office today make sure you are treating all of the images of God well.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34, 35 NIV)